Centre for Health Research

Sexual Wellbeing and Quality of Life after Prostate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual Men and their Partners 

We would like to invite you to participate in a study to help us gain new knowledge and understanding of how prostate cancer (PCa) affects sexual wellbeing and quality of life in gay and bisexual (GB) men and their partners.

This study is being conducted by the Centre for Health Research, University of Western Sydney, and is funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Movember New Concept Grant, in partnership with ANZUP Clinical Trials Group and ACON. The investigators on the study are Professor Jane Ussher, A/Professor Janette Perz, Professor Suzanne Chambers, A/Professor David Latini, Professor Ian Davis, A/Professor Scott Williams, Mr Alan Brotherton and Professor Gary Dowsett.

To help you decide if you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Only participants 18 years and over will be recruited for this study.

What is the study about?

The purpose of this study is to examine the implications for sexual practices and sexual identity in gay and bisexual men and their partners with prostate cancer. We want to gain information that will help inform health care providers deliver interventions and facilitate ongoing support and thus prevent difficulties and distress with sexual wellbeing to those who have been affected by prostate cancer.

Who are we looking for?

• Gay and/or bisexual men who have, or have had, prostate cancer (18+ years) or
• Male partners of gay and/or bisexual men who currently has prostate cancer (18+ years)

Do you have a choice?

Participation is voluntary. If you decide to be involved, it will not affect you in any way and it will not affect the relationships you have with any of the organisations involved. You can withdraw without giving any reason. Note: you can withdraw at any time if you participate in interview; however, it is impossible to withdraw after the survey is submitted as it is anonymous. We will not be able to identify the survey you completed in any way.

Your role?

If you are willing to take part in this study, you will need to complete a survey, which may take about 30 minutes to complete. The survey has questions about the impact of prostate cancer, and your thoughts about sexual practices, sexual identity, intimate relationships and quality of life. You can access the survey online by clicking on the button below (Person with Cancer Survey or Partner Survey). Alternatively, you can contact our research team on 1800 192 002 or email cancerandsexuality@uws.edu.au and we will send you a paper survey with a reply paid envelope (a larger font size is also available upon the request).

If you are only interested in participating in Stage 2 of this study which is the interview, please contact the team via the email below. A member of our research team will contact you shortly to arrange the interview with you.

What are the benefits / positives?

This study will provide the research team with an understanding of the experiences and needs of gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer (and their partners). This information and knowledge will be used to inform health care providers to deliver interventions and facilitate ongoing support to gay and bisexual men and their partners and prevent difficulties and distress with sexual wellbeing post-cancer.

Are there any risks?

We know answering questions or talking about cancer and how it has affected you can be difficult, so if you decide to take part in the study, we will do what we can to make sure you feel safe and comfortable.

If you feel some discomfort after completing the survey, and feel as though you would like to talk to someone, please contact the services below for help.

• The Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20
• ACON Counselling Service (02) 9206 2000 or Free Call 1800 063 060

Confidentiality / Privacy

Everything you say to us will be confidential. No one will know you have taken part in this study except those you tell or the researchers involved in the study. We will make sure no one will find out that you have taken part. All your information will be stored safely and securely at the University of Western Sydney.

Will taking part in this study cost me anything, and will I be paid?

Participation in this study will not cost you anything. If you were to take part in an interview with us, you will be reimbursed for your time and reasonable travel expenses to the amount of $25.

What will happen with the results?

We plan to talk about the results with other organisations (e.g., Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, ACON, ANZUP, Cancer Council QLD) so other people can learn about the sexual wellbeing and quality of life after prostate cancer for gay and bisexual men and their male partners. We will do this by presenting and discussing the results with people who look after men with prostate cancer. Whenever we present or discuss the results, your name will not be mentioned and no one will know you participated in the study. If you wanted to know the findings of the study, please contact us via email for any updates.

Complaints

This study has been approved by the University of Western Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC 10013). If you have any concerns about the conduct of the study, or your rights as a study participant, you may contact the Ethics Committee through the Research Ethics Officer on (02) 4736 0229 or email: humanethics@uws.edu.au

Contact details

If you would like to know more about the study, please contact the research team on 1800 19 20 02 or email: cancerandsexuality@uws.edu.au

If you have read the above information about this research project and happy to participate, please select the relevant button below to continue. Thank you.